Page 11 of Banner

“Please, Gio, you have to help me.I need to speak to Alessio.”

He shakes his head.

“Please!”

His eyes turn cold.“It’s too late!It’s done.”

“Done.”The whispered word holds so much finality.

Straightening my spine, I cover my face with the veil and follow Gio out into the holding area.

“Let’s get this over with,” my brother says, sounding annoyed.

Those are my sentiments exactly.

Alessio offers me his elbow and I slip my arm into the crook.My heart starts racing when the doors to the chapel open.Alessio guides us across the threshold and on the other side is The Butcher in an expensive suit with an impatient look on his face.His brows are pinched as he speaks to a man standing next to him.

“Don’t fuck this up, Sophia,” Alessio hisses.

I don’t bother answering as the Wedding March starts to play.Banner spins around and his eyes lock with mine before dropping lower and slowly moving across my body as he appreciates the dress he’s chosen.

As Alessio escorts me down the aisle, I wonder if I measure up to my fiancé's expectations.

“Your bride,” my brother says, placing my hand into Banner’s much larger one.

“Yes, she is.”There’s heat in Banner’s stare as he guides me to stand beside him.My heart beats a staccato when he leans in to lift the covering from my face.I’m utterly fascinated as the look on his face morphs from calm interest to nuclear rage as his eyes ping pong from the red mark on my cheek to the split in my lip.My eyes widen as my heart beats faster for an altogether different reason.Holy Moses.That look is for me.

I give him a silent plea not to make a scene in the house of God and surprisingly, he concedes.He also catches me off guard when he reaches out and pulls me closer.I tilt my head, confused by the series of events.Everything I’ve heard about The Butcher is of a monster—a killer; not a man who’s accommodating or acts like he cares about my well-being.I push those thoughts aside as the minister continues with the ceremony.

“Do you, Banner, take Sophia Angelini to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Banner watches my face as he slips a dainty gold band onto my finger.“I do,” he says, his voice laced with possession.

“Do you, Sophia, take Banner St.James to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Banner lifts my hand and drops a larger gold band into my palm.My thumb traces the precious metal, the significance feeling heavy in my hand.When I look up and see the intensity in his eyes, I know there’s no getting out of this.Once I slide this ring on his finger, we’ll be bound together forever.

“I do,” I answer, sliding the ring into place.

“By the power invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.You may kiss your bride.”

Cheers fill the church as Banner’s arm tightens around my back and his hand cups the side of my face with a gentleness that belies his size.His eyes flick back and forth between mine as he dips his head and closes his mouth over mine.My eyelids flutter as his tongue swipes across my lips, seeking entry.I’ve never kissed anyone before, but he doesn’t seem bothered by my inexperience as he takes advantage and explores my mouth.The taste of copper fills my mouth from the cut on my lip, but I ignore it as I follow his lead and kiss him back.A growl rumbles from his chest in appreciation.Someone clears their throat, and he slows the kiss and pulls away.

My heart races as I breathe out a “Wow.”

“It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to Mr.and Mrs.Banner St.James.”The preacher’s words are met with a swell of applause.

With a smile on his face, Banner lifts our joined hands into the air and his friends and family shout their excitement.

“Come on, Mouse.”Banner squeezes my hand and leads me back down the aisle.

A man in the back row steps in front of us and judging by his looks, he has to be Banner’s father.He casts a concerned gaze over my face as his eyes move from the mark above my eye to the split in my lip, and growls, “Who did that?”

“Sophia, this is my pop, but he goes by Doc.”

“Call me Pop, sweetheart.I asked you a question, Son.Who did that to her face?”

Banner watches me closely as he says, “I was just about to find out.”

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